TV Review: ‘Beverly Lewis’ The Confession’

Hallmark Channel sequel follows up Beverly Lewis' "The Shunning"

For the hardy few to whom “Beverly Lewis’ The Confession” really is the much-anticipated sequel to “The Shunning,” its arrival is no doubt good news. To the rest of the world, this Hallmark Channel movie derived from the second of Lewis’ “The Heritage of Lancaster County” books is distinguished by possessing slightly more edge than the network’s standard fare, and a solid tandem in Katie Leclerc (“Switched at Birth”) and Sherry Stringfield (was “ER” really that long ago?) as its leads. It’s also enough of a stand-alone story one needn’t have thrilled to part one to join the buggy ride.

Leclerc plays Katie, who was “shunned” by the Amish community that raised her in the first film. Now out in the modern world, she seeks to reconnect with her birth mother, Laura (Stringfield), a wealthy socialite who early on is presented with a fatal cancer diagnosis. This comes as bad news to Laura’s leech of a husband, Dylan (Adrian Paul), who needs his wife’s money to finance his gambling habit. Fearing he will lose his inheritance when he hears from Katie, he seizes on a scheme to pass off a struggling actress (“Once and Again’s” Julia Whelan) as Katie, hoping to secure access to his wife’s estate before she dies.

Actually, the movie’s pretty good right up until then, at which point director Michael Landon Jr. (who co-wrote the script with Brian Bird) has trouble sustaining much momentum or suspense. When Katie shows up at the house she’s mistaken for a maid, and the stretch she spends in that disguise amounts to killing time until the inevitable moment (it’s a Hallmark movie, after all) when mother and daughter are going to be heartwarmingly reunited.

“The Confession” also comes with an understated spiritual streak, as Laura appears at peace with her fate and speaks of an afterlife. If that at times sounds a trifle sappy, it no doubt will play well with a sizable segment of the Hallmark audience.

It gives away little, in fact, to note “The Confession” already appears to have its sights set on a third movie, and why not? Because as the world inhabited by Hallmark Channel turns, one predictably uplifting story invariably deserves another.

TV Review: 'Beverly Lewis' The Confession'

(Movie; Hallmark Channel, Sat. May 11, 9 p.m.)

Production

Filmed in North Carolina by Believe Pictures and Lightworks Pictures Prods. in association with Mission Pictures International.

I enjoyed all three movies, but particularly The Confession and Sherry Stringfield. I sure wish Ms. Stringfield, Michael Landon, Jr and Hallmark could get together and make more movies. I think Michael Landon, Jr. is a fine director and makes the movie very realistic even up to people talking and cleaning in the background. In my eyes it was just great. Thank you Sherry, Michael and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

I read The Shunning and just as the book ended Katie was trying to find her mother and her sweetheart’s sister had just received a letter telling her that he was still alive. So Katie is off hunting for her mother who is dying from cancer and doesn’t know about him being alive. I’m really excited to read the follow-up book finishing this story. Hurry!

Loved it. Story & music were beautiful. My husband usually teases me “Oh it’s one of your Hallmark movies”. He came home for lunch toward the end of The Confession and said don’t delete this, I want to watch it later! Thank you Michael Landon Jr. For the great movie!

Loved both movies. Can’t wait for Part 3.
Thank you Michael for letting us know morals still exist!!!!
This was a good and clean movie. Family movies!!! It is nice to know movies can be done without profanity and sex!!!

I enjoyed the movie and am anxious to see the next one.I was already happy with the choice of Sherry Stringfield in this movie,Katie LeClerc was wonderful.She was all I hoped she’d be in this role.The choice of Adrian Paul as the gambling husband was perfect.He made this flawed character so real.I was more than pleased.

Sappy, apparently the reviewer doesn’t understand the peace knowing God and Hs plan comforts his children. Having read all Mrs. Lewis’s books I I dislike how poetic license dilutes the theme and story weaved. The book builds the relationship of all characters, not just Katie and her mother. I agree with Shirley “The Reckoning” is the worth waiting for, it brings Katie full circle unfortunately the reviewer will consider it even more sappy…

I agree Rebecca. Sounds like they don’t care for CLEAN, FAMILY movies. I was an extra in the movie and Beverly Lewis is one of the sweetest, caring woman I know. She took the time to talk to me, ask me about my son and I call her my friend. Can’t wait for “The Reckoning”. Be looking for the lightning from the storm I drove home in after the shoot at the mansion.

Sounds like you don’t care for Christian movies.In the book.Katie is in her mom’s house a while before she reveals herself.After all,she’s Amish and doesn’t quite know how to deal with this sort of thing.